Reds Rally To Even Series And Provide Terry Francona With His 1,999th Win As A Manager

 

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Will Benson tied it in the ninth inning with an RBI triple and scored on second baseman Orlando Arcia's fielding error to give the Cincinnati Reds a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

Spencer Steer opened the inning with single off Victor Vodnik (3-3) and scored on Benson's triple that nearly went out. Pinch hitter Jake Fraley, who was activated before the game walked and took second on defensive indifference. Noelvi Marte — who earlier homered for the second straight game — then hit a ball to second that Arcia bobbled.

"Will took a gorgeous swing," Francona said. "The one gamble we took was sending Fraley. They weren't going to throw through but if Marte hits a line drive. I would have a hard time explaining that but once he's there, we can run on contact. That gives us a free shot. Arcia bobbled the ball so it ended up helping us."

Marte, who has been taken out late in games in favor of Santiago Espnial for defensive reasons, stayed in with a chance to drive in a run.

"I just wanted to put the ball in play," Marte said through interpreter, Tomas Vera. "I hit the ball hard and good things happen when you do that. I keep working with Freddie (Benevides). I know I can help the team both offensively and defensively. I saw two pitches on the home run and I thought ok, now he's got to come in and the result was good."

Emilio Pagan (2-2) escaped a first-and-third, no-out jam for the victory. He had not pitched since since Wednesday.

Rookies Ryan Ritter and Yanquiel Fernandez provided the offense for Colorado.

Ritter, who played in his first big league game June 6, hit his first career home run with Fernandez on in the third inning. Fernandez had three hits, including an RBI double in the seventh inning.

Bradley Blalock  pitched a season-high 5 2/3 innings, leaving with a 2-1 lead. Jimmy Herget left the bases loaded by striking out Benson in the sixth.

Brady Singer pitched 6 1/3 innings and tied his season high with nine strikeouts but avoided his fourth straight losing decision when the Reds rallied.

Pagan struck out Brenton Doyle and Fernandez with runners on first and third and no outs in the ninth. Reds pitchers pitched out of three jams with a runner on third base and no out. Singer was touched for a leadoff triple by All-Star Hunter Goodman in the fourth inning but struck out Jordan Beck, Michael Toglia and Brenton Doyle to keep the score close. 

Fernandez and Arcia singled to open the fifth but Ritter grounded to Marte at third, who threw out Fernandez at the plate. Tyler Freeman, who extended his on-base streak to 25 in the first inning, grounded into a 5-3 double play. 

"Marte is working really hard on his defense. He doesn't like coming out of games and I love that," Francona said. "I give our coaches credit but I also give him credit for listening and working to get better."

Austin Hays, who struck out four times, three after Elly De La Cruz was intentionally walked three times and hit into a rally killing double play on Friday night bounced back with a sacrifice fly and two singles.

"I struck out four times in a game in 2022," Hays said. "The next day I hit for the cycle. I learned then that you can have the worst day and come right back."

Terry Francona reached 1,999 victories as a manager. His next win will make him the 13th manager to win 2,000 games and be within nine of Leo Durocher's 2,009 wins as a manger.